Statistics for Social Sciences I: Introduction to Statistics

Statistics for Social Sciences I: Introduction to Statistics
Bachelor in International Studies
ECTS Credits: 6.0
Semester: 2

COMPETENCES AND SKILLS THAT WILL BE ACQUIRED AND LEARNING RESULTS

Specific competences:
1. Understand the basic concepts of population, sample, variable and statistic.
2. Know how to summarize a sample using measures of centre and variability.
3. Learn how to use statistical graphs to illustrate the main features of a sample.
4. Understand and implement the basic ideas of a regression analysis.
5. Learn how to estimate a population parameter based on sample data and how to formalize a hypothesis test.
6. Use of statistical software.

Transversal competences:
1. Capacity of analysis and synthesis.
2. Understanding of how to use computer packages.
3. Problem solving.
4. Teamwork.
5. Critical reasoning.
6. Verbal and written communication.

DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS: PROGRAMME

1. Introduction.
1.1. Concept and uses of statistics.
1.2. Statistical terminology.
1.3. Typos of variables.

2. Analysis of univariate data.
2.1. Representations and plots of qualitative data.
2.2. Representations and plots of quantitative data.
2.3. Numerical summary of a sample of data.

3. Analysis of bivariate data.
3.1. Representations and plots of qualitative and discrete data.
3.2. Representations and numerical summaries of quantitative data: correlation and regression.
3.3 Introduction to time series analysis.

4. Probability and probabilistic models.
4.1. Random experiments, sample space, elementary and composite events.
4.2. Properties of probability.
4.3. Conditional probability and its properties.
4.4. Random variables and their characteristics.
4.5. Bernoulli trials and related distributions.
4.6. The normal distribution.
4.7 Other distributions

5. Introduction to statistical inference.
5.1. Outline and objectives.
5.2. Point estimators.
5.3. Interval estimators.
5.4. Fundamentals of hypothesis testing.
5.5. Tests for normal means.
5.6. Tests for proportions.
5.7. Testing for independence.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND METHODOLOGY

Theory: Theory classes with materials available on the web.
Prácticas: Problem classes. Computing classes using statistical software.
Group tutorials for resolution of problems, doubts etc.

ASSESSMENT SYSTEM

Continuous evaluation:
Two written tests counting 40% of the final grade.
Group project counting 10% of the final grade.
Continuous evaluation, exercises and practical classes, counting 10% of the final grade.

Final exam. End of course exam counting 40% of the final grade.

BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY

D. Huff. How to Lie with Statistics. W.W. Norton & Company.
G. Davis, B. Pecar. Business Statistics using Excel. OUP. 2010

ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY

D. Rowntree. Statistics without Tears. Penguin Books.
G. Klass. Just plain data analysis (2nd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield. 2012